It's Been A Long Time, Baby

I can not believe I have waited 7 months to update my blog. How embarrassing! A lot has changed in 7 months.

I'M GETTING MARRIED! OMG!

Ok, so sorry.

He asked me on August 5, a Tuesday, in front of all our friends, by campfire light. It was so sweet. Unfortunately my first response was..."You're shittin me!" Just so all you ladies who want to get married know, NOT THE THING TO SAY! Once I was out of the state of shock, I said YES!

Busy, Busy, Busy

So this school year we have had four snow days. What a great opportunity to get caught up with making some jewelry, RIGHT?! However the craft and art shows are getting closer and closer and my supply seems to be staying the same! What am I doing with all these extra days? Why does it seem nothing is getting done? I don't know the answers but it must be because I am so busy doing other things like... playing on ETSY! Well all I know is I must get my rear in gear so I have enough items to put at my first show, which is not until June I believe. So off I go to make more jewelry!

Support Systems

If someone would have told me one day I would be making jewelry and selling it in my own store, I would have thought they were crazy! Today my mom commented, " My little beader. Who would have guessed you would be making and selling your own jewelry. It took me a year to even get you to one class!. Now look at you." And it is true. I fought the whole concept of making jewelry. Now, I love it. It is a part of me. My boyfriend created an invoice for me today. He has sat with me through art shows. He takes my jewelry to work and sells it. What a great support system. I would like to think I did this all by myself but the truth is, I am a small portion of the big picture. The bead shop owners who supported me and guided me, my family who stuck by me and the people on Etsy who guided me cannot ever be thanked enough. Of course we can't forget the buyers who feed the passion. Thanks everyone for your help and support. You have made me whole.

Still a fan!

So all you football fans, is your team going to the Super Bowl? Well my team, Green Bay, lost tonight in overtime. Of course I am still their number one fan! Go Green Bay!

Depression

Many people are diagnosed with an illness called depression. Many more have the illness but go undiagnosed. I suffer from depression. I am not ashamed of my illness. I have tried many coping methods, some good, some not so good. I have found that being creative is a great coping skill. When I sit down to bead, I can be so focused I get lost in my own little world. I feel no more pain. I am thankful to those around me who understand my need to be creative and to bead.

I just needed to get that off my chest.

Three Peas In a Pod

I remember when I first started beading. It was really my mom that created the beading monster. When I stepped into my first beading store it was like Heaven. But the store has become so much more. Three Peas In a Pod is a family owned bead store in Loves Park, IL. It is like my second home. The owners are such great people. They offer help when needed and are just as excited when you create something all your own. I have gotten to know these wonderful people and they are truly my friends. So I just want to say thanks to one wonderful family at Three Peas In a Pod.

Thanks guys!

http://www.threepeas.biz/

Beading Class

Today I am teaching my first beading class. Although I have been teaching for 11 years, the students have always been kids! Of course I am nervous (Nervous Nelly here) about teaching my first class to adults! I have to say though I feel comfortable with the bracelet I'm making so that helps. What experiences have you had with teaching beading classes?

Check out my store, I'm teaching the bracelet called Whimsical.

All in the family...

So I have been dating my boyfriend for almost 2 years. I have met everyone in his family except one brother who happens to live in New York. Well, tonight I am going to meet him and I AM SO NERVOUS! All these questions are going through my head. What if he doesn't like me? What will he think of our house? Will he be comfortable at our house? So I am about to throw up because I am so nervous. Of course My boyfriend is not nervous. He says, "babe it's not a big deal." Ever had this feeling before? Hopefully all will go well.

What do you say...?

As a kindergarten teacher I often ask myself, "what do I say to that?"

The other day, as I was teaching, one of my lovely 5 year olds said, "Miss Tenner, your arm jiggles." What do I say? My arm does jiggle!

We were studying about Antarctica and penguins in particular, and I asked if any of my students knew what blubber was. One little boy politely raised his hand and said, "Miss Tenner, you have a lot of blubber." What do I say? I DO have a lot of blubber!

So I ask again, "what do I say?"

I say out of the mouth of babes!

What next?

OK so I'm venting! What do I do next? I'm in the forums, in the chat rooms, created a blog, registered my name with ETSY....and told all of my family and friends. So now what? What do I do to get that first sale? I can honestly say this stuff is a lot harder than it seems! Any ideas on the first sale? PLEASE let me know!

...and of course, come visit my store!

Searching...

During the summer there are many craft shows. However it is difficult to find craft shows during the winter months. This is a problem. I would like to find craft shows in and around the Rockford, IL area during the winter and spring months. I am also interested in shops and stores in Rockford, IL that I may be able to sell at. If you have any ideas, please let me know!

Thanks so much!

In the Beginning....

In the beginning there was a teacher who loved to bead. She sold at craft shows and flea markets. She sold to family and friends. But she was still unhappy. She needed to get her jewelry out into the world. That teacher searched the internet until she found ETSY! What was it? Could she sell HER jewelry in there? What if?

So after weeks and weeks of debating with herself, she took the LEAP! She started her own shop in ETSY.

As she learned more and more about ETSY, she realized how many people were there to help her out. They helped with photos (which she is still working on), how to find stuff and how to get the word out to everyone that she was there. This made the teacher very proud. She took a chance and was happy with what she had done.

Check out missteacher30.etsy.com

In the beginning there was a teacher who loved to bead.